Oxygen plant at NHAK to be fully operational soon

Installation works for PSA Oxygen Generation Plant in full swing at NHAK. (Morung Photo)

Installation works for PSA Oxygen Generation Plant in full swing at NHAK. (Morung Photo)

Health Minister appeals citizens to be self-disciplined

Morung Express News
Kohima | May 5

The Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen generation plant installation at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK) is in process and is expected to become fully operational within a week or so.

This was informed by the Engineer working at the site at NHAK during an inspection visit by Nagaland Health Minister, S Pangnyu Phom on May 5.

As the second wave of Coronavirus hit the country, taking the shortage of oxygen supply into account, the Indian government has announced setting up of 551 medical oxygen generation plants inside public health facilities across the country.11 oxygen generation plants are to be set up in all the district hospitals across the State with the first phase in Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung. 

The Minister informed that in the first phase, the oxygen plant at NHAK is expected to become fully operational within a week with a capacity of 300 liters per minute (LPM). For installation of oxygen plants at Dimapur and Mokokchung, he said that all the equipment, except the compressors have reached. They will be airlifted very soon after which installation will begin.

It was also informed that the oxygen plant at District Hospital Dimapur and IMDH Mokokchung each have a capacity of producing 200 LPM.

When enquired on the purity of oxygen,  Er Nilanjan, of Absteem Technologies, who is here for the installation said it is 94-96% as prescribed for medical use and informed that once the oxygen plant is operational it can produce 300 LPM which will amount to 432000 liters per day.

While assuring their best to make the oxygen plant operational at the earliest, the Engineer said it will take ten or more days to be fully functional. He informed that leakage testing will be carried out tomorrow (May 6), and if everything goes well, a trial run will be carried out on May 7.

“If no problem arises in the trial run, samples of the oxygen will be sent for lab test which will then be certified and become operational basing on the test result,” Nilanjan informed.

During the visit to the oxygen plant installation site, the Health Minister interacted with the health officials and technicians. “This is a war-like situation and everybody should work on war footing,” Phom said, while also appreciating the technicians for their tireless efforts.

Phom further informed that PSA oxygen generation plants for Tuensang and Phek are being supported by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and through UNICEF for Wokha, Mon, Zunheboto, Peren, Kiphire and Longleng. The proposal for Noklak has been made to the MoHFW, New Delhi, he added.

“The civil works, electrical works and oxygen pipeline has been initiated after which the plant will be installed,” Phom informed and added that the proposal for Noklak district is being awaited optimistically.

He assured that the setting up of these plants at all district hospital will enable the COVID-19 symptomatic cases and patients with difficulty to receive uninterrupted oxygen supply.

Interacting with media personnel, Phom observed that “the scenario is quite different with the first wave and second wave, where positive cases are on the rise everyday” and assured that the government and the department is trying its level best to control the situation.

When queried on the resources, the Minister maintained that the State government is trying to mobilise resources to combat the virus.

In a message to the citizens, Phom appealed “We have to be disciplined to fight COVID-19, especially in following the SoPs issued by the government. It is through self-discipline we can overcome this virus.”